Board Overview

The Zoning Board of Appeals is a quasi-judicial administrative board that hears and decides zoning related matters pursuant to MGL 40A.

The Zoning Ordinances of the Town of Bridgewater,

"promote the health, safety, convenience, and general welfare of its inhabitants, lessen the danger from fire and congestion, and improve the town under the provisions of the Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 40A, the use, construction, repair, alteration and height of buildings and structures and the use of premises in the Town of Bridgewater are hereby restricted and regulated as hereinafter provided."

Filing a Petition for a Hearing

First, a petitioner must receive a building permit application denial from the Building Department, or a zoning determination signed by the Building Inspector. Then a petitioner may file for relief from strict adherence to the requisite section(s) of the Bridgewater Zoning Ordinance.

All completed petitions, accompanied by the necessary filing fees, and fee for the legal notice made out to the Enterprise, should be filed no later than 3 weeks prior to the date of that hearing.

Click link below for hearing dates and filing deadlines:

Forms:

Per MGL 40A, all abutters within a 300' radius must be notified of the public hearing. A certified abutters list application shall be filed directly to the Tax Assessor's office with filing fee. Please allow 7-10 business days for processing a request. The abutters listing must be forwarded to Zoning offices and the postage due calculated. A check made out to the USPS in the correct amount (see attached fee schedule) must be submitted.